Nicola "Niki" Johnson

Vice President, Government Affairs and Strategic Communications General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

As Vice President of Government Affairs and Strategic Communications, Ms. Johnson leads, shapes, and directs engagement with the U.S. Government, foreign governments, think tanks, media, and other stakeholders to further GA-ASI’s pursuits in both the international and domestic defense markets. This includes influencing and shaping U.S. defense trade policies, developing GA-ASI internal and external messaging, serving as company spokesperson, and developing strategic engagement plans. Before joining GA-ASI in 2016, Niki served as a Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy (OSD(P)) - Defense Technology Security Administration (DTSA). In this role, she advised Department leadership and the interagency on technology security policy issues for the Pacific and Europe. Prior to that, Ms. Johnson was a Europe Program Director for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). There she managed a $20 billion portfolio of FMS cases and led DSCA’s engagement with these allies and partners. Ms. Johnson also held a position in OSD(P) African Affairs as the Regional Director for North Africa. In this position, she supported the Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary of Defense in the development and promulgation of defense and security policy for Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria during and after the Arab Spring. Ms. Johnson has also held positions in DSCA’s Humanitarian Assistance division and with the Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (SAF/IA). Niki holds a Master’s in Security and Defense Policy and a Bachelor’s in International Affairs from George Washington University. Additionally, she has a Master’s in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University. She sits on Boards of the National Defense University Foundation (NDUF) and Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation (RAFMAF). Niki is also Advisory Council member for Middle East Institute's Defense and Security Program. Her husband is a physician in the U.S. Navy and she has two children.